Two gravel courses added to Up North Bike Fest
January 21, 2020
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. – A new and exciting cycling discipline over two new routes has been added to Bike Benzie’s popular Up North Bike Fest – gravel.
In addition to the 62-, 45-, 30- and 15-mile road routes cycling enthusiasts have come to love for more than a decade, 36-mile and 20-mile gravel routes have been added to the June 6 event.
“The courses have a little bit of everything,” Bill Kennis, Bike Benzie’s race director, said. “All the courses are rolling and expected to be very fast. But these two new additions have minimal pavement, something all the riders, particularly those who like gravel races, should be very excited about.”
This is the 12th annual event for the Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club. Up North Bike Fest will be at Crystal Mountain, where rides begin and end.
Registration is open by visiting bikebenzie.org. Early entry fees are only $25 through Jan. 31. Prices will increase after Feb. 1.
Discounted lodging rates are available at Crystal Mountain. Call 855-520-2974 and reference “Bike Benzie” for the discounted rate.
Proceeds support youth programs for Benzie County students. The Sunrise Rotary charters buses to take the ninth-grade students on campus visits to some Michigan universities and colleges.
“This can be a game-changer for many students who haven’t had a major college experience,” Kennis said.
In addition to the best bike course in the state, the courses offer rest stops with homemade local baked goods, refreshments and enthusiastic volunteers to cheer on all the cyclists. After the race, stick around at Crystal Mountain to enjoy the celebration, including barbeque, local craft beer and mead, live music and much more.
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About Benzie Sunrise Rotary:
The primary mission of the Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club is to improve the lives and futures of the youth of Benzie County. The organization has strong partnership with the Benzie County Central Schools and the proceeds from this ride fund the many programs and activities that our partnership is built on for the elementary, middle, and high schools. Visit its website at https://benziesunriserotary.org for more details about the specific programs that this ride helps to fund.
About Crystal Mountain:
Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings and a conference center. Visit www.CrystalMountain.com.
Bike Benzie Media Contact:
Bill Kennis, Race Director
Bkennis3@gmail.com
m: (248) 568-2074
Crystal Mountain Media Contact:
Sammie Lukaskiewicz, Director of Public Relations
SammieLukaskiewicz@CrystalMountain.com
o: (231) 378-2057
m: (517) 673-4177